2019 January 9th Minutes


The Round Lake City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 at 6:15pm at City Hall.

Councilmembers present were Paul Cunningham, Court Baumgard, Walon Habben, Gary Larson and Mayor Douglas Knuth. Others present were Linda Koning, Jennifer Rehnelt, Bill Lindley from Clayton Energy, Bruce Bentele, Derek Nelson and Clerk Elaine Walker.

Meeting was called to order at 6:13pm.

Additions to the agenda: Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services, Fire Department, Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water bill, Road Grant and Schaap Sanitation for 2019.

Motion by Cunningham, second by Baumgard to approve the agenda and additions to the agenda. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve the minutes from the December 6th meeting. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve the disbursements and receipts for the end of 2018. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Baumgard to check into procedure needed to either accept the bid for the 2019 bituminous work with Nobles County with Minnie Street in the project or leave it off. All ayes: Carried.

Mayor Knuth swore in the new councilmembers, Jennifer Rehnelt and Walon Habben who is returning for another term. The council said good-bye to long time councilmember, Court Baumgard, who is retiring from the councilmember position, after 24 years of serving the Round Lake community.

Motion by Larson, second by Habben to approve the claims adding the Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water invoice for $1,746.81. All ayes: Carried.

Bill Lindley from Clayton Energy was asked to attend our council meeting to answer any questions the council had about our gas rates. Compared to similar towns we are quite a bit lower than the average. He suggested increasing our monthly charge and increasing our per mcf price in 2019. We need the gas department to earn enough cash flow to cover its expenses and we are falling short.

Motion by Habben, second by Rehnelt to approve the Official Newspaper – Tri County News, Depository – United Prairie Bank, City Assessor – Nobles County Assessor, City Attorney – Mark Shepherd, Atty. and City Auditor – Bradley Bergerson, CPA – Kim Eisfeld. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to designate Ned A Jones from Farmers Insurance Company as the City’s insurance agent and the City’s financial Advisor on select accounts. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Cunningham, second by Rehnelt to designate Kelly Meyer, United Prairie Financial Network as the City’s Financial Advisor on select accounts. All ayes: Carried.

Resolution no. 2019-01-09 – Resolution for Brehm Group Renewal of the Accident Coverage for the Council. Motion by Rehnelt, second by Larson to approve accident coverage through the Brehm Group. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Cunningham to approve that the City does NOT waive the Monetary Limits on Municipal Tort Liability established by MN Statute 466.04. (Required annually for the insurance company). All ayes: Carried.

Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water announced their rates for 2019 will go from $2.56 per thousand gallons to $2.66 per thousand gallons and will take effect on June 1, 2019.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve the 2019 fee schedule with the new gas prices effective June 1st. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve the use of the IRS reimbursement standard fee of 58 cents per mile for 2019. (up from 54.5 cents for 2018) All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Cunningham, second by Rehnelt to approve the 2019 CIP Energy Star appliance rebates sheet for new electric appliances. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Habben, second by Rehnelt to appoint Councilmember Gary Larson as Acting Mayor in Mayor Knuth’s absence. Councilmember Larson abstained from the vote. All ayes: Carried.

Councilmember Committees Appointed: See attached sheet.

Motion by Habben, second by Rehnelt to approve credit for excess water usage due to a leaky toilet for Roland Thomsen. All ayes: Carried.

Blue Cross Blue Shield will be increasing employee dental premiums by 6%, effective on the March 1, 2019 renewal date. Current coverage is $116.90 for family and it will increase to $124.50 for family coverage.

Motion by Larson, second by Cunningham to approve offering $4,000 for the boom truck that Federated Rural Electric has offered to the City of Round Lake. All ayes: Carried.

Motion by Rehnelt, second by Habben to approve purchase of a new odorator, our current one has issues that can’t be fixed as it is too old. Price for new one is $4,800.00. Derek was directed to order it. All ayes: Carried.

Wages for Fire Department positions and calls/trainings of the fire fighters – Motion by Habben, second by Rehnelt to increase wages for the fire department as follows: See attached. Councilmember Larson abstained from vote. All ayes: Carried.

Fire Chief should be attending council meetings when there is agenda items that involve the fire department. Clerk Elaine was instructed to let Mike Smith know when we have something on the agenda that involves the fire department.

Schaap sanitation notified the city of a rate increase of 2.2% for 2019. The price increase is in effect on the next billing cycle.

Bruce Bentele is still trying to get a quote for a new pickup, the one that was approved at the last meeting was sold before he notified them it was approved.

Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services – TV still having issues. Not as bad as it was, but still not good. Channels are still cutting out, mostly local channels, but it is happening to all. Councilmember Larson and Mayor Doug Knuth will continue as the Round Lake representatives for 2019.

Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) has an orientation for newly elected city officials’ workshop in Slayton, MN on Saturday, February 2, 2019. Clerk Elaine is willing to attend if anyone else wants to go.

City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 21st for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The next council meeting will be on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 at 6:15pm at City Hall.

Motion by Habben, second by Rehnelt to adjourn. All ayes: Carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:48pm.